Single-plate rotary printing-press.



Gnuzufoz Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

T www H. F. BBGHMAN.

swam: PLATE ROTARY PRINTING PRESS.

AIPLIGATIDF FILED HARJ5, 1909.

H. F. BBOEMAN.

SZNGLE PLATE ROTARY PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, 1909.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

3 BHEETB-SHEET 2.

wihsiaa zo H. F. BECHMAN.

SINGLE PLATE ROTARY PRINTING mass.

APPLiUATION IILBD MAR. 15, 1909. J 979,91 1 Patented Dec. 2?, 1910.

3 BHEET8-SHEET 3 Qvitueaacs mg sur "UNITED srarus PATENT orrron.

HENRY I. BECHMAN, F BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DUPLEX PRINTINGPRESS COMPANY, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

SINGLE-PLATE ROTARY PRINTING-PRESS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

Application filed March 15, 1909. Serial No. 483,600.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, Hssnr F. BECIIMAX, of Battle Creek, in the county ofCalhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Single-Plate Rotary PrintingIresses; and I herebydeclare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which formpart of this specifi' cation.

This invention relates to rotary-cylinder web-printing pressesespecially adapted for pr1ntin newspapers, and wherein the printfaccsare formed on stereotype plates fastened upon the peripheries of theplate cylinders and co-acting with adjacent impression cylindersto printa web.

The primary object of the presentinvention is to provide means forquickly and easily placing on the cylinders and fastening 1n positionthe tubular plates used on the single-plate press described in my PatentNumber 867,230 dated October l, 1907, and the chief advantage of thepresent invention is that it permits the slipping of such plates ontosuch cylinders without in any way (listurhing the adjustments of saidcylinders.

The present invention in particular is an improvement upon the pressshown in my Patent No. 867,230 dated Oct ber 1st, 1907.

A particularly noticeable feature of my press is that the plate andimpression cylinders are of very small diameter, so that an ordinarynewspaper-page plate will ractically surround the circumference o thecylinder, and the press is designed for use with tubular stereotypeplates, each plate containing but. one newspaper page of mat ter; andthe press is so constructed that such small tubular plates may heslipped endwise on and oil the plate cylinders without removin thecylinders from their bearings, and witiout disturbing the cylinderbearings or their adjustment in any way. This is one very importantpractical feature of the invention, and greatly facilitates making readythe press.

- Another novel feature of the press is the means for fastening thetubular plates on the cylinders.

In the accom nmyin; drawings I have shown the invention as embodied in apress having four rotary perfecting mechanisms; in which each platecylinder is adapted to ductions in the machine.

carry two tubular single page plates arranged end to end thereon, sothat each perfecting mechanism will print four newspaper pages, thetotal capacity of such press being therefore sixteen pages. The totalcapacity of such a press can however be easily lncreased by lengtheningthe cylinders so that they can carry three or more tubular page-plates;or by adding additional perfecting mechanisms; or diminished bycorresponding re- The several per footing mechanisms are all constructedalike so that the description of one will explain all.

I will now describe thefinventionmore in detail, as embodied in thepress shown in the accompanying drawings, and will refer to the claimsfollowing such description for summaries of the parts and combinationsof parts for which protection is desired.

In said drznvings-Jdigure 1 is a side elevation of a press embodying theinvention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view of one set of cylinderbearings. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of such bearings. Fig. 4 is asectional view of one of the plate cylinders and a tubular platethereon. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical longitudinal sectional elevation ofthe press. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of the platecylinders. Figs. '4' and 8 are detail sectional and top views of one ofthe plate cylinders showin the plate fastening-s. Fig. 9 is a detailsection of a plate cylinder showing the end plate fastening device inretracted position. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail section on line 10-10,Fig. 6. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail section on line 11-11, Fig. 6.Fig. 19. is an enlarged detail section on line l212, Fig. 9.

The press as shown in Fig. 1 has four perfecting mechanisms A, B, C, D,which are arranged in two decks or planes, with two perfectingmechanisms in each deck. Each perfecting mechanism comprises two plate100 and two impre sion cylinders, which in this instance are shown asextendin transversely of the press and arranged in t e same horizontalplane, the plate cylinders 1, 1, being outermost and the impressioncylinders 2, 2 105 lying intermediate the plate cylinders. Astrikingfeature of the press is the diminutive size of. these cylinders;in practice they are only half the diameter or less of the plate andexpression cylinders employed 1 10 i l t -1 ho ordinary rotary webpresses; ihe circu ierencc of each plate cylinder when the pl: is on inmy press being merely equal lo the lengih of one newspaper pageplus i 5the 'zwd margins between successive imsiuiiss'hereas in ordinary nresseshe a. plates (see- Fig. are practically- "'XJJ. tubes, but nave a narrowslot g; the margin spaces of hepage,

sls in width the desired dis- ;cessive imprcssien's en the .inorcovcrcorresponds in .th of a longitudinal rib 1' er which rib and slot sncceseel by I be done without his 1 in a very rapid manner h reason novelcenstruction of the cylinder v i ably the plate and impression cylindersare all join-nailed in common bracket casting 3, each of which isprovided with clined hearings for the journals of the plate 7 rc;;sioncylinders, such bracket caslrigiclybolted to the sidefrnmes of l Tlehearings 3 for the plate cyls0 practically circular and of an ex- 1meter less than ihe diameter of the rndczs. Each hearing is con- 1 1 thehearing Ir oi the a jacent l1 ression cylinder by means of single;- &5latera web 3 which is of a thickness slightly l less ihsn the width ofthe slot p in the? pletes The bearings 3 for the impres-E s' l'mders areconnected at top by a wch all the hearings in a set are preiershl 3 so(as integral with a base 3' which 15 provided with suitable holes forthe pcssage of bolts which it is secured to theside frame of e press.The plate cylinders are mounted i: hearings which are 511 ported by thewebs and these webs are cost-ed between the l hearings of the plate andimpression cylincrs in the plane of the line of mipression lire so thatno mat Ler what the imprespressers maybe it cannot deflect or distorttherelative osltions of the plsteand impressien'cylin er bearings. V Inorder ti) ut ihe plates P upon the cylfinders 1,151; 8 plate cylindersare turned until their-ribs l. coincide with the webs 3" Q fiesbearings; then the tubular plates P l l l the hearings or ad usiment ofhe i are slipped endwise over he hearings 3*- onlo the plate cylindersFig. '2 the slots '1,

past the webs 3' and ihe iihs 1". Each male is here-2d 'to fit closelyand neatly around the gwripmary of the cylinder and it is rimmed so thatthe edges of the slot 7' lie close against the QtlgcS of the rib i aridsniclrih forms an alnzn'nent on the cylinder to preyent the platesturning theirozz and itholds llll llll in proper alinenmni. thereon, andalso rerms 2n abutment by which the plates are caused '10 mm with theplate cylinders.

in the plates pcrinittin" them 10 he slipvcil' l hr :l'l': :zms ferprevent? ls.- :nt of the plzilcs on the cylm-zlers dur- :6: operation ofthe press. order to facilitate securing the plates plate'cglimlcis orreinovi .-g {hr-m an I have provided such cylinders Eh novel Liesecuring devices which are 5 admi d l is ippear when disengaged from (lto come into locking position el 7 ice are, placed on this-cylinder. Iwill now describe these devices.

In the press shown the plate cylinders are but two pages wide and bothplates can he conveniently slipped on or oli the same. end

of the cylinder; each plate cylinder pro- Yidcd will one or more slots lin' which is Zplaccrl an ordinary plate clamp or slide lilocli 1 whichis held in the slot liy (love- The inner lor" this slot is deepened andinclined and the c'eve mil groove or grooves 11-0 in clined inward yen-2rd. "sis cf die cylincler so that when the clamp is moved outwardlyin the slot the clamp 1 moves inward and disappears below the surface ofthe cy inder see Fig. 7} but when the moved toward the other end of they ruler is will rise in the slot, and appear properly shove the surfacesthereof (see Fig. 6). To the clamp block I is attached a red 1" :hichextends in a narrow elongafion of the slot toward the end of cylinderand is provided with a linger l on its exlrcmity which projectssufiiciently above the surface of the cylinder to engage the edge of aplate being slid on the cylinder. Belore the first plate is placed onthe cylinder the clamp 1" is drawn back into the lower ortion of theslot and disappears as dcscri ed (see Fi T) then a plate P is slipped onthe cylinder and as it is slid inwardly thereon its forward edge engagesthe finger 1 and forces rod 1'' tail or lateral hinges as nsu hack.causing clamp l to rise beside and 6Q a folding mechanism F at theopposite end against the inner edge of the plate see Fig. Tleu when thesecond platefi is slid on the cylinder it catches the clamp 1 and causesi': to move the first plate on until it abuts againsta stop 1 on thecylinder by which it is arrested in printing position. The smoud plate Pis then clamped against lineal novement on the plate cylinder bv meansof a slide block or clamp 1 (Figs.

6-9 ahich is srruzw on a bolt 1 which has a bearirg through the hmd ofthe cylinder and lies in a slot Pin the cylinder, said slot whichoperate thereon.

i leing dove-tailed or undercut at 1 for engagement of? the flanges onthe sides of the clamp l; the outer end of the slot has an enlargement 1and when the clamp is lhltli d out into this enlargement it will turnover into the position indicated in Figs. 9 and 12 so that itdisappeursbelow the surface or the cylinderi 111 which position the plates P canbe easily slid on or off the cyl mder.

After both plates have been slid on the cylinder as described, the bolt1 is turned so as to first bring the clamp l into position to enter thegrooved portion of the slot Fund as that it projects above the surfaceof the cylinder, and then the bolt moves the block inward against theedge of the second plate P and forces the latter to cause cle'np 1 toforce and hold the first plate in position. Thus it is practically onlynecessary in securing the lates on the cylinder to operate bolts} as t eintermediate clamps 1* will be automatically positioned by the actofslip ping the first plate on or 011 the cylinder. Each plate cylinder isprovided with a rotsry inking mechanism which may be of any suitablekind and which are sunply indicated at I in the drawings, as they formno part of the present invention, and it 1s unnecessary to describe samein full herein,

'as various kinds of well-known inking apparatus could be employed withthe plate cylinders.

In the press shown four webs are employed each of which is or may betwo-pages wide corresponding in width to the length of the page forms onthe plate cylinders In the present instance each plate cylinder issupposed to carry two tubular page plates. If all four perfectingmechani ms are used the total maximum product or such press at eachoperation would be sixteen pages. The web a may be led from a roll atone end of the ess (3V9? suitable guides a, a", (1 to and etween theplate and impression cylinders in mechanism A; and then over suitableguides a, a", a, to aroller f at the top of of the press. In a likemanner web Z may be led from a roll at one end of the rcss' oversuitable guides b, 6 b, to an be tween the plate and impresion;cylinders in mechanism B and then over suitable guides 31, Z5 Z Z), tothe roller f at the head of the folder I at the opposite end of the.machine. The web a may be similarly led from a roll at one end of themachine over suitable guides c, 0 through the perfecting mechanism C andthen over suitable guides c c 0, c to the roller f above the folder.Similarly a web d may be led from a roll at one end of the press oversuitable guides cl, d (1", to the perfecting mechanisnrI) and thenceover suitable guides d, (i d, to the roller f at thctop of the folder.It will be observed that each web passes Without any lateral or edgewisedeflection from the roll to the folder.

The cylinders in each perfecting mechanism are intergeared as usual torotate at the same peripheral speed, and they are also adapted to bedriven by suitable gearing, not shown, from a common drive shaft; it isunnecessary to illustrate this gearing as it can be varied according tothe speed desired, and it will be readily understood and applied by anypress builder. It will be understood that any one or more of theperfecting mechanisms can be put out of operamore of the perfectingmechanisms, for in- V stance web a after being perfected in one color inmechanism A could be directed over guide 0 to mechanism C and printed inmulticolor and then can be led if desired direct to the folder like web0, or it may be directed to and through another perfecting mechamsm.

It will be obvious that with such a press is possible to produce varioussizes of papers in color, or multicolor, or in combinations thereof, asdesired. By using a half width u 12b. and only one single page plate oneach cylinder in any perfecting mechanism, two pages can be printed, andsuch single page web can be assembled with other webs at the folder. Inthis way six, ten. and fourteen page papers can be easily produced onthis machine.

If the cylinders should be made three-page plates long the pressdescribed would be press can also be increased by adding addi- 2 E E tcreased to eight pages.

itwill be obvious thatwith this press no :Jllecting is necessar and thatonly one set of stereotype plates is required, the printing being doneon the straight run without collecting; whereas with the ordinaryperfecting rotary cylinder web press it is nee-- essary to use a doubleset of plates when ing on the straightrun. With my press 1 can print asrapidly with one set of plates as can be done on the ordinary rotari swith two setsot" stereotype plates, thus effecting a'great saving inmaterial, and in labor and time in ma dug ready the press.

Having described my in ention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent thereon is:

1. 1-1 a rotary printing press the combination o e plate cylinder havinga narr longitudinal rib or abutment, and a tubular stereotype plateadapted to encircle the cylinder and ha ing a narrow longitudinal slotadapted to engage the rib on the cylinder when the plate is sli ipcdendwise thereon, whereby said plate is lo ked against roiatire movementon the cylin r.

2. In a rotary priming press the combination of a plate cylinder havinga narrow longitudinal rib or abutment, with a tubular l 1; 3e stereotypeplate adapted to sur- I'OLJQ l the m'linder and having a single narrowlo Ludinal slot adapted to receive the rib when the late is slippedcndwise upon the cylinder. whereby said plate is locked nstrotatiremovement on the cylinder; means for clamping such late againstendwise movement on the cylint er.

3. In a rotary printing press the -combination of a plate cylinder, anda bearing for such cylinder supported by a narrow web; with a tubularstereotype plate adapted to substantially encircle the cylinder buthaving a longit idinal slot whereh it is adapted to he slid endwise astthe web and over the bearing onto or o t of the cylinder.-

4. In a rotary printing press, a plate cylinder adapted to carry singlepage tubular plates, 2 caring for such cylinder not, exceeding thecylinder in diameter and rigidly supported by a narrow web, incombination are ' with a tubular stereotype plate adapfed tosubstantially encircle the cylinder and having a lon 'itudinal slotwhereby said plate can he slid endwise past the web and over the bearingonto or oil of the cylinder.

In arotary printing less the combination of a plate cylinder aying anarrow longitudinal rib, with a bearing for said cylinder not exceedingthe cylinder in diameter, and ,a web supporting said bearing notexceeding the cylinder rib in thickness; with a slotted tubular plateadapted to encircle the cylinder and to he slid endwisc past the web andover said bearing on or or? the cylinder when the cylinder rib is inalinement with said web.

6. In a rotdry printing press the combination of a plate cylinder havinga narrow longitudinal spacing rib. and a bearing for said cylinder.supported by a similarly nar row web; with a tubular stereotype platecorresponding in diameter to the cylinder and having a longitudinal slotcorresponding' in width to said rib and adapted to, he slid endwics overthe cylinder bearing and web onto or oil of the plate cvliuder when theJib on the cylinder is in a inen'ient, with the web of the bearing.

7. In a rotary printing p. the combination of a plate cylinder having anarrow longitudinal spacing rib, a bearing for said cylinder slightlyless in diameter than the cylinder cl having a rigid supporting webapproximately :aling the cylinder rib in thickness; with a .JOti/ idtubular plate adapted to suhstantnilly encircle the cylinder and to beslid endwise over said bearing on or oil the cylinder when the cylinderrib is in alincment with the said web and the tube slot is also inalincmentthere ith. V

8.- In rotary printing press a plate cy inder having a narrowlongitudinal spacing rib, a bearing for said cylinder approximatelyequaling the cylinder in diameter and having a rigid supporting web apiir xinnitely equaling the cylinder rib in thickness; in czihinationwith :i tul)ular stereotype plate corresponding in diameter to thecylinder and adapted to sul'istantiaily encircle it, and having a narrowlongitudinal slot adapted to accommodate the rib and web, and permitsuch plate to he slid cndwise o er the cylinder bearing onto or oil" ofthe plate cylinder when the rib on the cylinder is in alinernent withthe web of the bearing.

9. In a rotary printing press the combination of a set of plate andimpression cylinders of small diameter approximately equaling the lengthof a newspaper page in circumference, each plate cylinder having alongitudinal rib corresponding in width to the desired space betweensuccessive impres- .sions on a web, and bearings for said platecylinders slightl 1 less in diameter than the c linders and supported bywebs of substantially the same width as the ribs on the cylinders.

. 10. In a rotary printing press the combination of a set of; plate andimpression cylintiers of small diameter approximately equaling thelength of a newspaper page in circumference, said plate cyan ers haying101:- gitudinal ribs corresponding 111 Width to the desired marginsbet-ween successive impressions, anda set of hearings for saidcylinders, the bearing. for the plate cylinders being slightly less indiameter than the cylinders and rigidly connected to the bearings of theimpression cylinders by webs of substantially the same widt as the ribson the plate cylinders.

11. In a rotary printing press the combi l0 nation of a set of plate andimpression cylinders of small diameter approximately equal ing thelength of a newspaper page in circumference. each plate cylinder havinga longitudinal rib corresponding in width to the desired space betweensuccessive impressions on a web, and bearings for said plate cylindersslightly less in diameter than the cylinders and supported by webs ofsubstantially the same width as the ribs on the cylinders; with tubularstereotype plates each having a longitudinal slot corresponding in widthto said webs and ribs and adapted to he slipped onto the cylinders overthe bearings when the ribs and webs are in aline- 5 ment.

1'2. In a rotary printing press the combination of a set of plate andimpression cylinders of small diameter approximately equaling the lengthof a newspaper page in so circumference, said plate cylinders havinglongitudinal ribs corresponding in width to the desired margins betweensuccessive li'flprcssions, and a set of bearings for said cylinders, thebearings for the plate cylinders being slightly less in diameter thanthe cylinders and rigidly connected to the bearings of the impressioncylinders by webs of substantially the same width as the ribs on theplate cylinders; with tubular stereotype 40 plates each having alongitudinal slot corresponding in width to said webs and ribs andadapted to he slipped onto the late cylinders over their bearings whenthe ribs and webs are in alinement and disappearing clamps on the plate'cyiinders whereby the plates may be locked in position thereon,substantially as described. 7

13. In a rotary printing press the combination of a plate and animpression cylinder, with a bearing for the impression cylinder, and abearing for said plate cylinder,

and a web by which said bearing is susp nded from the impressioncylinder bearing, said web being arranged in the line of impressionpressure between said cylinders.

14. In a rotary printing press'the. combination of a plate cylinderhaving a longitudiLal rib, a bearing for said cylinder, and

at web. supporting said bearing. said web being arranged in the line ofimpression pressure, and not exceeding the cylinder rib in thickness;with a slotted. tubular plate adapted to substantially encircle thecylinder and to he slid endwise over said bearing on or off the cylinderwhen the cylinder rt .is in alinement. with the bearing web.

15. In a rotary printing press a plate cylinder, and a singlelongitudinally disposed rib on the periphery of said cylinder; incombination with a split tubular stereotype plate corresponding ininternal diameter to the external diameter ofthe cylinder and adapted tofit closely around -the same, said plate having a longitudinal slotcorrespondmg in width to the rib on the cylinder, and permitting saidplate to be slid longitudinally on and off the cylinder when the slotregisters with the rib, and said rib serving to lock the plate againstrotary movement I on the cylinder.

16. In a rotary printing press, the combination of a plate cylinderhaving a longitudinal rib, a bearing for said cylinder, and a supportfor said bearing corresponding in width to the rib on the cylinder; witha tubular stereotype plate corresponding in internal diameter to theexternal diameter of the cylinder and adapted to tit closely thereon andhaving a longitudinal slot corresponding in width to the rib on the cyl9O inder, said tubular plate being ada ted to he slid endwise on and oilthe cyiin er and over the cylinder hearing when the rib is in alinementwith the support.

17. In a rotary printing, press, the conibination of a plate cylinderhaving a longitndinal spacing rib, a bearing for said cylinder notexceeding the cylinder in diameter, and a web supporting said bearingand corresponding in width to the rib on the cylinder and arranged inthe line of impression pressure; with a tubular stereotype platecorresponding in internal diameter to the external diameter of thecylinder and adapted to fit closely thereon and baring a longi- 10-tudinal Slot corresponding in width to the rib on the cylinder, saidtubular plate being adapted to he slid cndwise an and oil' the cylinder-and over the cylinder hearing when t e lid fill the cylinder is ialinemen't with the Web. r

In testimony that I claim the-foregoing as my own, I afiix my signaturein presence of two witnesses. i

. V HENRYIfiBEGPDIAN.

-Witnesses: i

Iamtc K. Saver, 1. FRANK W. Dnnmnn.

L; e i i

